"I know, I know; such do not betray."
After which he suddenly asked:
"Why does not the little lady want to agree that we should call each other 'associates'? Amongst us we all speak that way."
But she rebuffed him at once.
"I told you once I cannot endure that."
"Ah, if it is so, then it is hard."
Pauly began to prepare for home. Laskowicz on the leave-taking made a second departure from the customs governing his associates, for he kissed her hand. Previously he had noticed that this raised her in her own eyes; that it flattered her and brought her into a good humor. Although not by nature over-intelligent, he observed that the principles of the Party alone would not entirely hold her, and that he would have in that girl an aid capable of all extremes, but only so far as her own personality entered into the play. This lowered the opinion which he held of her and his gratitude to her. He nevertheless submitted to this despotism, remembering that he owed to her his life.
At present he had, besides, a favor to ask of her; so at the door he kissed her hand a second time and said:
"Panna Pauly--the same lot, the same wrong. Let the little lady answer yet one more question. Where can I see though from a distance--though from a distance--"
"Whom?" she asked, knitting her brows.